Futuristic history on display in arts center’s tribute to steampunk

The arts center will hold a free public reception for all of the exhibits from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the White Galleries.

Those with unique moustaches, beards, sideburns and the like are invited to join the Facial Hair Follies, which will take place during the reception. The contest will be judged by steampunk artist Myles Pickney.

“Steampunk: History of the Future”

White Gallery, through Sept. 6

This invitational show features prominent steampunk artists from throughout the world. Participants include Andrew Chase, Eric Freitas, Nemo Gould and Vincent Mattina.

“Full Steam Ahead”

Buell Children’s Museum, through Sept. 6

Knit a squid, take part in a lantern parade, build with Goldie Blox construction sets, have a tea duel and learn about Victorian games — the children’s museum will be all about steampunk this summer.

For a complete list of activities, visit sdc-arts.org/downloads and select “full steam calendar” from the list.

“Steel City Steampunk”

Hoag Gallery, through Sept. 13

Jeff VanderMeer, author of “The Steampunk Bible,” juried this multimedia show. VanderMeer also is providing the arts center with artwork and pages from his forthcoming book, “The Steampunk User’s Manual.”

“The Invention of Steampunk”

Regional/second floor foyer galleries, through Sept. 13

Trace the history of steampunk, its inspiration and many influences. The exhibit includes pieces on loan from Rosemount Museum, Steelworks Museum and the Bessemer Historical Society.

“Wild Wild West”

King Gallery, through Sept. 27

Works from the arts center collection, as well as Rosemount and Steelworks museums, are featured here, providing a look at steampunk’s Old West inspiration.

— Amy Matthew

It’s lace and metal.

It’s fashion and function.

It’s steampunk — and it’s taking over the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center this summer.

Old is new

From some, that will generate a “Steam what?” response. From others, it will bring an emphatic “Yes!”

Both reactions are precisely what Elizabeth Szabo is trying to elicit. Szabo, the center’s curator of visual arts, knows many people don’t have a clue what steampunk is. She also knows there’s a “small but pretty passionate” group of steampunk devotees in Pueblo and many more fans throughout Colorado.

She hopes the summer exhibits, grouped under the banner “Steampunk @ the Sangre,” will bring the two together.

“We want to attract the whole community,” Szabo said. “I think what we’ve chosen will appeal to a wide variety of people.”

First, some background about steampunk: What does it look like, you ask? The short answer is that you know it when you see it — and chances are you see it much more often than you realize.

Steampunk began in writing, as science fiction that combines a Victorian, Medieval or American West era with steam-powered machines and other futuristic, sometimes supernatural, elements. Thank H.G. Wells and Jules Verne for its invention. It’s got a rebellious — i.e., punk — nature and is all about creativity.

“There’s so much involved — literature, fashion, movies,” said Szabo. “It’s not strictly goggles and clocks and gears.”

Top-hat technology

Here’s a definition from SteamPunk magazine: “Steampunk as a genre is descended from cyberpunk, which questioned the scientific optimism prevalent in mainstream science fiction and instead offered a gritty, grimly realistic world in which corporations ruled the Earth, empowered in many ways by the development of communications technology.”

In writing, think Verne and Wells. In TV, think “The Wild, Wild West.” In movies, see “Sherlock Holmes” (the Robert Downey Jr. incarnation) and in graphic novels, “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” and “The Five Fists of Justice.”

“Final Fantasy” and “Bioshock Infinite” are two examples of steampunk-influenced video games.

Top hats, corsets and, yes, goggles find their way into much steampunk fashion.

“We’ve got fashion designers doing some outfits that are more cutting edge, kind of funky stuff,” said Szabo.

Jeff VanderMeer, an artist and author of “The Steampunk Bible,” was the juror for the “Steel City Steampunk” show. Though he won’t be in attendance, VanderMeer did provide the arts center with images from his forthcoming book — the first time they’ll be seen in public.

“When we needed a juror we called him up and he was really nice and said, ‘Sure,’ ” said Szabo. “You just have to ask sometimes.”

Past meets future

Pueblo’s Rosemount and Steelworks museums contributed items for the exhibit that, while not specifically steampunk, show how this fantasy genre is intertwined with real elements of the past.

“We’re trying to show people how steampunk really is based on history and historical items,” Szabo said. “The steampunk artists that are working today are really exploring the past with what they’re doing.”

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in their own steampunk wear when they come to see the exhibits.

“Come looking for something fun,” said Szabo. “I’m hoping that the quality of the work will speak for itself — that people will say, ‘I had no idea (what steampunk was), but I have to check this out.’ ”

The arts center will hold a free public reception for all of the exhibits from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the White Galleries.

Those with unique moustaches, beards, sideburns and the like are invited to join the Facial Hair Follies, which will take place during the reception. The contest will be judged by steampunk artist Myles Pickney.

“Steampunk: History of the Future”

White Gallery, through Sept. 6

This invitational show features prominent steampunk artists from throughout the world. Participants include Andrew Chase, Eric Freitas, Nemo Gould and Vincent Mattina.

“Full Steam Ahead”

Buell Children’s Museum, through Sept. 6

Knit a squid, take part in a lantern parade, build with Goldie Blox construction sets, have a tea duel and learn about Victorian games — the children’s museum will be all about steampunk this summer.

For a complete list of activities, visit sdc-arts.org/downloads and select “full steam calendar” from the list.

“Steel City Steampunk”

Hoag Gallery, through Sept. 13

Jeff VanderMeer, author of “The Steampunk Bible,” juried this multimedia show. VanderMeer also is providing the arts center with artwork and pages from his forthcoming book, “The Steampunk User’s Manual.”

“The Invention of Steampunk”

Regional/second floor foyer galleries, through Sept. 13

Trace the history of steampunk, its inspiration and many influences. The exhibit includes pieces on loan from Rosemount Museum, Steelworks Museum and the Bessemer Historical Society.

“Wild Wild West”

King Gallery, through Sept. 27

Works from the arts center collection, as well as Rosemount and Steelworks museums, are featured here, providing a look at steampunk’s Old West inspiration.